Ever since we launched LifeSpring almost three years ago, we have strategically chosen to use the term “Partner” for those who choose to officially “join” us as a church. The reason for this is somewhat semantics, but we believe the words we choose make a difference.
When I think of the term “member”, I think of someone who has joined something- and gains right and privileges as a result.
When I think of the term “partner”, I think of someone who is working together with someone else or other people to achieve a common goal.
While members exercise rights, partners share responsibilities. Thus, we use the term “partner.”
However, regardless of what term is used, one thing is clear from Scripture: God intends for each person who is a follower of Jesus to belong to the local church. Paul writes this in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV):
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth, and this statement addresses the church as a whole and each person as an individual. What he makes clear is two things:
- The local church is the body of Christ. While the Church is every believer all over the world, the local church is meant to be a representation of the global church.
- Each individual is a part of the body of Christ.
A bit earlier, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul says this:
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
In other words, each Christian is given at least one spiritual gift- for the purpose of building up the church.
Taken together, all this means each person who claims the name of Jesus is meant to be connected to a local church for the purpose of using the gift(s) God has given them through His Spirit to advance His Kingdom.
Ultimately, this means we choose to place ourselves under the leadership, authority, and accountability of the local church- because the leadership of the local church is entrusted, as servant-leaders, with determining the time, manner, and place of each individual practicing their gift within the church (1 Peter 5:1-5).
Scripture does not expect followers of Jesus to merely attend, or even be involved. Scripture expects us to be committed. That is what Partnering is all about.
Maybe you’ve thought about that. And maybe you’ve thought you’ll do that…eventually. Maybe. But for now, you’re just not quite there, and there’s four reasons we may give as people for not taking that step:
#1- “I’m not ready…I don’t have my life together.”
It may be true in some cases that there is something in your life that needs to be addressed before you become a partner. Most of the time that deals with the issue of habitual sin, which would be something that would damage the credibility of the message in the eyes of a lost and dying world.
So sometimes this is true.
But most of the time, I believe this comes not from a place of habitual sin, but a place of unhealthy perfectionism that believes you have to become a spiritual giant to be a partner.
If that’s you, let me encourage you: becoming a partner has nothing to do with your level of theological knowledge beyond grasping the Gospel. It is not about becoming a “super Christian”. Reality is we ALL have issues and struggles- and the beauty of partnering is it provides a family to encourage you and help you grow.
Partnering is not just about working together to advance God’s Kingdom. It’s joining together so God can work in us- and we NEVER outgrow that need.
#2- “I don’t think I agree with or like everything.”
Most of the time this deals with issues of open-handed theology. Sometimes it can deal with stylistic things, like music preference. Sometimes, it’s that we don’t offer the plethora of programs other churches do.
If that is you- please know we love you, and I love you as your pastor.
However- this line of thinking is like chasing snipes in the yard- you’re looking for something you are never going to find.
Put another way: the perfect church does not exist, and you’ll never find a place that checks every single one of your boxes.
Shoot- I’m the lead pastor, and I don’t even like every single thing that we do- and sometimes I don’t agree with it!
For instance- there is a certain song Pastor David puts in our setlist from time to time that I’m just not that big a fan of- but it engages our people and they respond to it. How foolish of would it be for me to say “We’re not singing that ever again!” just because it doesn’t line up with my personal preferences?
Or, sometimes, our ministry leaders execute things in a way that I would not- but as long as it’s ultimately effective in leading people to live for God and love all people, then how shortsighted of me would it be to say “You have to do it my way- or take a hike!”
On a side note for the leader reading this, one of the best things you can ever do in leadership is give those you lead freedom to make decisions and do things that are not in line with “how you would do it.” Otherwise you’ll micromanage and be super frustrated all the time.
My point is this:
The church does not exist for us. It does not exist to be “my pet project” as the lead pastor, and it does not exist to be the “perfect place” that checks every single person’s box. The church exists for one reason alone- and that is to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Which means that as long as we are reaching people distant from God, helping them meet Jesus, and helping them become disciples of Jesus, the everything else- open handed theology, musical preference, leadership style, ministry models or strategies- is window dressing.
The best question when evaluating whether to partner is not “Do I like or agree with everything?” It’s “Is God advancing His Kingdom here?”
If so- it’s time to get involved.
#3- I don’t need to belong to a church to follow Jesus.
That line of thinking works if you’re on a deserted island with nothing but a deflated volleyball for a friend.
But for the rest of us, that idea is simply not biblical.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) says this:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Did you catch that?
Not giving up meeting together.
Thinking you just don’t need the church is an idea you will not find support for anywhere in Scripture.
However- ultimately, I tend to think the root of much of our objection to taking this step comes down to this next statement. And as I say this, please understand I want to do this from a place of grace, and so I’m not trying to call you out or anything- but I do want to expose a mindset that is incredibly dangerous for us as individuals, and it’s this:
#4- “I don’t want accountability.”
Now, we’d never say that out loud- and we certainly wouldn’t say its twin, “I don’t want to submit to the authority of a team of pastors,” because it sounds so…unteachable.
However- there’s a good chance that if you’ve been around 6-8 months or longer and have yet to take that step, chances are this is probably deep in the recesses of your mind.
And honestly- I get it. I especially get it if you came from a church background where leaders abused their authority or where “accountability” meant the deacons nit-picked your life and made you feel like a second-class Christian if you weren’t “up to par.”
And if that was you, then I completely understand why you would be more than happy to attend…but you don’t want to pull the trigger on attending, because you’ve ridden that train, and you don’t ever want to do that again.
I feel your pain. And I get the hesitation.
At the same time- Scripture is clear that we are called to be a committed part of a local church (2 Corinthians 12:7, 27, which we read above), to be accountable to the local church ( Matthew 18:15-18), and be submitted to the leadership of a local church (1 Peter 5:1-5, which we read above).
That applies even if we’ve been hurt before. So how do we move past it?
We begin to change the way we look at it.
Accountability to the local church and the authority of the elders (pastors) local church are not meant to micromanage or nitpick our lives. These things are given by God to help us, encourage us, and keep us from wandering away from Jesus. We all need accountability and authority over our lives. I need those things, and I have them both from Mark and David and a few other guys that ultimately hold me accountable.
That doesn’t mean those things haven’t been abused and misused by others you’ve encountered- they have, and the hurt was real.
And here’s the other truth: chances are, when you become a part of a local church, there is going to be a moment where you experience genuine hurt in some way. That is simply the reality of being in relationship with other people. It’s messy, it can be challenging, and there will sometimes be misunderstandings, things that are said that should not have been, and hurt feelings.
Families do wound each other. But families also come back together and forgive and reconcile. That’s what should happen in the local church- and it’s that forgiveness that makes us stronger.
Please do not allow your past pain to keep you from stepping into something that God can use to heal those wounds from the past- and don’t let the fear of future wounds keep you from opening up to others or belonging to a family where God can and will grow you beyond your wildest dreams.
The bottom line is this- We need you. God has gifted you. And you are way to valuable to sit on the sidelines! But at the same time, you need this family- we all do- because none of us can do life alone.
With all that said, if you’d like to sign up for our next Partnership Class, it is on June 15th at 5 PM. You can sign up RIGHT HERE.